Within the walls of a church, a safe place can be found for men and women with heavy hearts as they hear the Gospel and experience His love. It is within these walls where you find the family of God gathering with one another to love, teach, and minister to all who come.

As the doors are held open wide, the smiles that await the burdened and heavy laden are the welcome sight that has been missing in their broken lives. It is through these doors where they can finally lay down their heartaches and shame through faith in Christ, and be seen through the eyes of God. These men and women feel accepted, without judgment for their past. Whatever has brought them to the church is exactly what God will use to show His glory.

The church—the family of God—provides the perfect place to lay down one’s burdens and begin anew. Through the love and encouragement of the people, plus the preaching and teaching of God’s Word, heavy hearts become lighter and more joyful through Gospel living.

Oh! To be the hands and feet of Jesus and testimonies of His grace! Please pray for the many SGA-supported missionary pastors who continue to lead their congregations to be that light to people like Aliona in Moldova.

Here is her story as shared by SGA Storyteller Tatiana:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today I would like to share the testimony of Aliona, who is a sister from our church  and from the village of Ciolacul Vechi. Nine years ago, Aliona received the Lord Jesus and was baptized as a public testimony of her faith. Today, she is the mother of three children who happily attend both the children’s ministries and the Sunday services of the church that was recently started in their village.

Aliona’s life has not been easy. Her path has been filled with many trials, losses, and painful experiences. The father of her first child died because of alcohol abuse. Later, the man with whom she tried to build a new life took his own life after many conflicts, and because of pressure from his family who did not want him to be with Aliona. The father of her third child left her. Although they live in the same village, they do not stay in contact, and he does not help raise the child, even financially.

Looking back, Aliona says that one of the greatest comforts she has found is the church. There she was accepted just as she was, without judgment. Whenever she has something heavy on her heart, she talks with Sister Svetlana, the pastor’s wife, and Brother Vova, the pastor of the church. Sometimes Aliona sincerely wonders, “Who do pastors talk to when they have something heavy on their hearts?” Today, she serves faithfully in the church kitchen ministry whenever help is needed. For Aliona, serving is a way to show her gratitude to God for His care and faithfulness.

In 2018, Aliona started attending the church’s children’s ministries with her first child. What impressed her most was that people did not spend their time talking about other people. Instead, they talked about the Lord, sang together, studied the Bible, and tried to become more like Jesus Christ. This atmosphere touched her heart and encouraged her to keep coming.

Not everyone was happy about her decision to attend church. One of her biggest disappointments came from her own mother when she learned that Aliona was attending a Baptist church. Even so, Aliona remained faithful and continued to follow the Lord.

The challenges of life are still great. Raising three children of different ages by herself is not easy. At one point, she had just started working with fruit storage facilities when she became pregnant again. There were especially difficult years when money was very limited. Food, clothing, and hygiene products were constant needs and worries.

During those hard times, God showed His care through the church. Through the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists churches and the ministry of Slavic Gospel Association, Aliona and her children received Christmas gifts, food packages, and clothing. These gifts were a great blessing and helped the family through a season when Aliona felt that her struggles would never end.

Today, when she looks back at everything she has experienced, Aliona says that people sometimes forget that God is there. But when they stay close to the church and to other believers, they find their way back to the Lord Jesus and receive strength to keep going.

Aliona’s testimony is a living example that God does not abandon those who trust in Him. Even when life seems unfair and burdens feel heavy, God’s grace is enough. Through many tears and trials, Aliona has learned that God can turn pain into hope and loneliness into blessing.